Digest: Free trade in plans for Suez Canal

Fishermen work in front of a Maltese ship using the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt. ﻿

Photo: Amr Nabil, STF

CAIRO - Egypt selected a consortium of Egyptian and Persian Gulf companies Tuesday to develop the government's mega project to transform the Suez Canal waterway into a hub of international investment and free trade zones, officials said.

Authorities say the massive development plan is badly needed to help boost an economy that has been ravaged by three years of political turmoil.

Dar al-Handasah - a leading design, architecture and engineering consultancy registered in Bahrain - was chosen from 14 candidates. A price tag was not given. The plan is separate from another megaproject, unveiled earlier this month, that involves expanding the canal.

McDonald's to sell its packaged coffeeat supermarkets

McDonald's will start selling its packaged coffee at supermarkets nationally early next year. The hamburger chain has made a deal with Kraft Foods to make and distribute McCafe.

Seaweed extract will come out of Horizon milks, Silk beverages

WhiteWave Foods says it will remove an ingredient from Horizon milks and Silk beverages in response to customer feedback.

Carrageenan, a seaweed extract that is used as a thickener and emulsifier, will be phased out over time, a company spokeswoman said. Some natural-food advocates point to animal studies that suggest the ingredient causes gastrointestinal inflammation and other problems.